look | Sevali, the simple grass that gives the music of Nagaswaram

Have you ever wondered what gives Nagaswaram its deep and full, yet melodious music? A simple grass or reed called sevly.

Thiruvavaduthurai, the small town that bears the image of the Nagaswaram magician Rajarathinam Pillai, is closely associated with Sevali.

Meet Tiruvaduthurai’s G. Muthuraman, a sevli maker who has won this year’s Fernandes Award, instituted by Parivadini, an organization promoting music, musicians and artisans involved in making musical instruments.

He explains the in-depth process behind making sevli.

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